Instrument Configuration
Instrument Methods and Calibration Certificates
Standard Attributes
Capture a Title, Instrument type Asset Number, Description, Manufacturer,
Supplier, Model and Serial number for the Instrument
Method, Instrument and Calculation integrity
At some labs, an analysis service can be executed on one of many different instruments. The method may differ between the instruments
Setting up Instrument Method
On the Instrument setup page, lab managers assign a (compulsory) Method to the instrument, selecting one from a lookup of methods configured on the Methods setup pages. An instrument can do more than one Method
Many Instruments can do the same method, and that is resolved on the Methods' configuration pages
Instrument QC. Decommisioning faulty Instruments
With this option enabled and the Instrument produces results Out-of-Valid-Range for reference samples, it is automatically taken offline and can only be restored after importing In-range results for it
See Instrument QC
Instrument Interfaces
Exporting Sample IDs to the Instrument
Select an Export interface for the instrument from those available in the system. Not many instruments offer this option, and the workaround is for Analysts to scan sample or worksheet printout barcodes into the instrument console
Instrument results Import Interface
About fifty are currently available for Senaite, select the applicable one for the Instrument
Auto Import Results Folder
If you have configured the system to automatically pick up Instrument results without manual intervention, provide the target location for the Instrument here
Calibration certificates
Whether labs make use of external contractors to test and issue calibration certificates for instruments, and/or use in-house calibrations, the LIMS uses records of these to keep instruments in commission
Calibrations are normally done at defined intervals. The system raises alerts for
calibrations due and makes provision for certificates by external agents as well as in-house
Senaite decommissions instruments with invalid certificates, and they are not available for selection. The 'invalid' instruments are recommissioned when they acquire valid certificates
Calibration certificates for an instrument are maintained on its Certificates tab where all of them are listed and new ones can be added by pushing the [+ Add] button
Whenever an instrument's certificates have expired, a warning is displayed and a link to the instrument record is provided to rectify the issue. The instrument will not be offered for selection and use in the system until the issue is rectified
Alerts will also be raised if instruments fail QC measures when analysing reference standards. These are resolved elsewhere, please see Instrument QC
Adding a Calibration Certificate
Click the add button on the instrument's Certificates tab and capture all available information, most importantly the certificate expiry date, Certificate Code, Task ID, Internal Certificate Y/N, etc,
Dates for when the calibration certificate was granted, from when it is valid, and until when
Agency is the third-party organisation responsible for granting the calibration certificate, and the individuals who prepared and approved the certificate
When saved, and the instrument's certificate is valid for the current date again, the warning is removed and the certificate listed for the instrument
The instrument will be offered for selection on Worksheets etc. again